Hi there,
First time buyer looking for help with a few choices of diamonds please. I’m looking for a round 2 carat+ diamond to put in a solitaire 6 prong white gold band. Looking to spend around $10k.
I’ve been looking at Blue Nile.
As far as a solitaire goes, you can put a J color into it and it’ll look fantastic. No need to pay more for higher grades (unless you’re planning on having a diamond wedding band or your partner is extremely color sensitive).
Unfortunately, I didn’t find any decent 2ct options for up to $10k. The largest recommendable diamond I found was this 1.75ct:
Blue Nile LD14403406
It’s nicely cut and would be very bright and brilliant in a solitaire setting of any kind.
What do you think about this?
Its cert says “clarity grade based on a cloud that is not shown.” This means there is a very large cloud that covers a large percentage of the diamond and saps the brilliance from it. You should never buy a diamond with this note.
Wow thank you! I would have never seen or known that.
Okay do you recommend James Allen? Also would choosing a diamond in the K category be too risky? Also, another question, is the fluorescence in a diamond something to seriously consider?
K color diamond would have a strong yellow hue in a white gold setting, especially at this carat weight. I would stick with J.
For H and lower colors, you can go up to medium fluorescence with no problems at all. For DEFG diamonds, only none or faint fluorescence is fine. I would avoid strong fluorescence for anything higher than a K color as it may cause haziness/milkiness and sap the brilliance from the stone.
Here’s what I found on James Allen:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9584458?a_aid=dmnd1357
Wow I can’t thank you enough! You’re knowledge and information is amazing!
So you’re right that I’m not going to be able to find a diamond for $10k that will be worth it in the important areas of a diamond. I still would like to get a 2 carat so I’ve been looking and this is one I found.
What do you think?
It’s my job to help you navigate the tricky diamond waters 🙂
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9643331?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is an absolute no go. 1) It’s poorly cut (the table % of 61 is too high and would cause worse light refraction). 2) The HUGE knot is a big problem, it might disrupt the diamond’s integrity in the future.
Goodness gracious there’s a lot to know and learn! Yea I saw the report that said knot and I didn’t think that could be good.
What about these two?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10074772?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are not very well cut and strong fluorescence might give them a hazy look in daylight. I wouldn’t go higher than medium fluorescence to ensure there wouldn’t be any haziness/milkiness.
Do you have any more diamond suggestions for $11k?
I found this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.83-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10120415?a_aid=dmnd1357
It has a nice cut and is eye-clean. It’s 7.83×7.88 while the 1.75ct is 7.67×7.7 so it’s up to you if the extra ~0.15mm would be worth the extra $$$.
Well I guess when I first went shopping in person I was shown a 2 carat and I loved the size of it so I guess I’ve been stuck on 2 carat. And looking at the measurements there’s not a big difference in size. Looks like from a 7.6 to 8mm. Not sure how big that is but it doesn’t seem like you could tell the difference.
I found this one in 1.75 and I guess I like that it had a complete black arrow look to it. What do you think?
The difference in sizes is mostly noticeable when you compare the diamonds side by side…
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10096372?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is gorgeous. It’s another beautiful option.
Since we keep discussing 2ct diamonds, I figured I’d pass along an example of a great looking 2ct stone and what the price would be:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.06-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9767681?a_aid=dmnd1357
Do you think the the table being at 57 is a concern?
The perfect light refraction usually occurs with tables around 55-57%. So the table % is not an issue.
I can’t thank you enough! I’m gonna go ahead with the 1.75ct.
I’m glad I could help.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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